Midland M-mini. Smallest CB radio test
If you don't have much room in your car to mount a big CB radio, or want it to be "unobtrusive", then the Midland M-mini is worth considering. One of the smallest CB transmitters on the market. We decided to check what is hidden in this inconspicuous "baby".
Does CB radio make sense in the age of smartphone apps? It turns out that it is, because it is still the fastest type of communication between drivers and the most reliable. Yes, it has some disadvantages, but still the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
Until recently, one of the largest was the size of the transmitters, which made them difficult to covertly install. However, the Midland M-mini solved this problem, as did some others.
Maluch
The Midland M-mini is one of the smallest CB radios available on our market. Despite its small external dimensions (102 x 100 x 25 mm), it is equipped with a number of useful features identical to those available in larger CB radios. The small size of the device makes it very easy to install it discreetly inside the car, both under the dashboard and around the central tunnel.
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The crimped all-metal housing serves as a heatsink for the power transistor. The black, matte lacquer with which it was covered gives the impression that we are dealing with a device case, at least for military purposes. We can be sure that it is not threatened by any abrasions or deformations.
An excellent and extremely convenient solution is the handle for attaching the radio, which, if necessary, allows you to very quickly “turn off” the radio, for example, when you get out of the car and want to remove the transmitter.
control
Due to the small size, the controls were kept to a minimum, but within reasonable limits. On the front of the case, in addition to a white-backlit LCD, there is also a volume potentiometer and four function buttons. Their use is very intuitive and we will practice using them in a few minutes. The cable from the microphone (the popular "pear") is mounted permanently (there is no way to turn off the microphone), but this is due to the size of the transmitter - screwing a full-size microphone would be just a connector problem.
Features
It's hard to believe that a "full size" CB transmitter is housed in such a small package. The radio complies with all CB band standards available in European countries. The Polish language is set at the factory (the so-called base magpies - from 26,960 to 27,410 MHz in AM or FM), but depending on the country in which we are located, we can adjust the radiation and power of the device in accordance with the requirements of that country. Therefore, we can freely choose one of the 8 standards.
The M-Mini is equipped with a very convenient automatic noise reduction (ASQ) that can be set to one of 9 levels. This allows you to better and more clearly perceive other users. We can also manually set the squelch, which, depending on individual preference, can be set to one of 28 levels from "OF" (off) to "2.8".
The M-mini also has a receiver sensitivity (RF Gain) adjustment function when operating in AM mode. As with noise reduction, sensitivity can be set to one of 9 levels. The function buttons can also be used to switch the type of modulation: AM - amplitude modulation I FM - frequency modulation. We can also enable the function to scan all channels, automatically switch between the rescue channel "9" and the traffic channel "19", and lock all buttons so that you do not accidentally change the current settings.
All basic information is displayed on the LCD display with white backlight. It shows, among other things: the current channel number, the selected radiation type, bar graphs indicating the strength of the outgoing and incoming signal (S / RF), as well as other additional functions (for example, automatic squelch or receiver sensitivity).
A very functional and noteworthy innovation used in the Midland M-mini is the addition of an additional 2xjack accessory jack on the control panel. This connector was already known in models from other manufacturers, but it was Midland who presented a very interesting set of accessories that can be connected to this connector. I'm talking about a Bluetooth adapter that allows pairing with a wireless microphone (Midland BT WA-29) and a steering wheel-mounted transmission button (Midland BT WA-PTT). Thanks to this, we can control the radio without releasing the steering wheel. This is of great importance in the context of road safety. Traditionalists can also opt for the unique Midland WA Mike wireless bluetooth microphone. The coiled cable connecting the microphone to the transmitter will no longer be a problem.
How does all this work?
It would seem that the smaller the device, the more difficult it will be to control it (the number of buttons and control knobs is reduced, one button is responsible for several functions). Meanwhile, it is enough to spend a few or several minutes to "work out" the combination, under which the individual function keys "hide". Yes, setting the automatic or manual squelch and receiver sensitivity will require some attention from us, but it will give us great comfort when using the transmitter on the road. We will be grateful that the “pear” is equipped with an up / down channel switch. However, the 2xjack connector, to which we connect the bluetooth adapter, is characterized by the greatest functionality. A wireless "pear", and especially an earpiece, will allow us to conduct individual communication, which we can conduct even at night, without waking the passengers traveling with us. The spoken microphone will also work when there are children in the car. The language used in CB communication is not always the "supreme" one, and using this accessory will save us from unpleasant questions from the smallest ones. Pairing with other Bluetooth devices means the CB transmitter can now also be installed by motorcyclists using a series of devices designed for them, known as the Midland BT. The method of attaching the radio is also extremely convenient.
See also: How to care for the battery?
Working parameters:
Frequency range: 25.565-27.99125 MHz
Dimensions 102x100x25 mm
Output power 4W
Modulation: AM/FM
Supply voltage: 13,8 V
External speaker output (minijack)
Dimensions: 102 x 100 x 25mm (with antenna jack and handle)
Weight: about 450g
Recommended retail prices:
Radio telephone CB Midland M-mini - 280 zlotys.
Adapter Bluetooth WA-CB - PLN 190.
Bluetooth-microphone WA-Mike - 250 PLN.
Bluetooth headphone microphone WA-29 – PLN 160
advantages:
- small dimensions;
– great functionality and availability of accessories;
– the ratio of price and functionality.
Disadvantages:
– a microphone permanently attached to the transmitter.
